Most cardinals compromised by sex-abuse scandal: victims

Barney Zwartz

Cardinal George Pell must not become pope because it would rub salt into the wounds of clergy sex abuse victims, according to leaders of the world's biggest victim advocacy group.

The call by the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, which has more than 12,000 members worldwide, came as retired Australian Cardinal Edward Cassidy suggested clergy abuse would not be prominent in pre-conclave discussions by the cardinals this week.

SNAP leader David Clohessy said Cardinal Pell was high on the list of cardinals who were morally compromised over abuse.

''I hope he doesn't even get a vote to avoid rubbing salt into the fresh wounds of not just victims but betrayed Catholics as well.''

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Mr Clohessy said Cardinal Pell blamed the sex abuse crisis on the media, claiming it was a smear campaign against the church.

''It's not an uncommon tactic, but it's contemptible. It erodes respect and signals to the victim, 'shut up, we will impugn your motives if you expose our wrongdoing','' he said.

Mr Clohessy said many or most of the cardinals gathering to elect the next pope were morally compromised, and cited early favourites Peter Turkson of Ghana and Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga of Honduras as particular worries over dismissing abuse.

As Mr Clohessy and colleague Barbara Dorris were lobbying in Rome, Cardinal Cassidy said sex abuse was not the main issue for the Vatican. ''Evangelism is the life of the church, to bring people into contact with Christ - that's the whole purpose of the church's existence.''

Cardinal Cassidy, a former senior Vatican diplomat, said other questions, such as sex abuse, were those that impeded that work. He said the cardinals should choose a pastor rather than an administrator, and seek the best man, whether from Europe or the developing world. He played down reports of factionalism and infighting at the Vatican, saying ''it's been working very well''.

The cardinal, 88, is unable to travel to Rome. He attended the meetings in 2005 but was a few months too old to vote.

Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said the cardinals might not decide the date of the conclave until mid-week. They begin their general meetings on Monday, but Father Lombardi said they would want to ''get into the flow'' first.

There are 207 cardinals, and most will come to Rome, but only 117 are under 80 and eligible to elect the pope. Three of these are expected to miss.